Declaration of Emergency Committee on Sept. 29th, 2022

[Larry Brookson]

The protective intelligence unit of the service does a great job, working with our partners, on doing that open-source capture of the messaging, what's going back and forth. That's the information that I'm talking about that elevates my concern as to what's happening within the precinct.

[Arif Virani, Liberal, Parkdale—High Park, ON]

Thank you.

[The Joint Chair, NDP, Matthew Green]

Thank you very much.

We will now move on to Mr. Fortin.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Brookson, let me continue with you. I have nothing against you, but I want to try to get through the questions.

You said earlier that you did not agree with the actions of the Ottawa police or municipal authorities with respect to Wellington Street. You attempted to contact Mayor Watson on this matter.

When did this happen? Was it before February 15 or after that?

The occupation began around January 28. The proclamation of the Emergencies Act was on February 15. I believe it was between those two dates that you contacted Mr. Watson. Is that correct?

[Larry Brookson]

Through you, Mr. Chair, my recollection—I can confirm this for the committee—is that it was prior to the police operation of February 17 and 18. It was the same as the period when the access roads were opened up by the city and additional vehicles were brought up right in front of the triad.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

You told us earlier that you are responsible for security at all the parliamentary buildings, which includes the West Block where we are now and where Parliament sits, the Senate Building, the Justice Building, the Confederation Building, the Wellington Building, the Victoria Building and others that I forget.

Am I correct in saying that you are responsible for security at all of these buildings?

[Larry Brookson]

Yes.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

Wellington Street and others separate these different buildings. You said that a couple of times, but I want to make sure. That was one of the priorities for you in terms of security and the work that you had to do. Is that correct?

[Larry Brookson]

Through you, Mr. Chair, yes, that's correct, and it's always important, but another concern is the SCB building. Again, the precinct is within the building itself. I know there were measures taken with the City of Ottawa to make it part of the sidewalk as well, but from a security measure standpoint, for me, the sidewalk is just not good enough.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

Mr. Brookson, if you had been in charge of security on Wellington Street and the perimeter of Parliament Hill had been entirely under your control, what would you have done differently than what was done starting on January 28?

[Larry Brookson]

Through you, Mr. Chair, the streets would have been blocked. There would have been no vehicles permitted to come up onto Wellington Street.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

Would it have been possible for the police authorities to block Wellington Street? I know this is not a matter of fact, but of opinion. You've spoken to us at length about your experience of security. In your opinion, would this have been possible?

[Larry Brookson]

Through you, Mr. Chair, again, it's not for me to speak on behalf of the Ottawa Police Service. I'll leave that to the Ottawa Police Service to answer those—

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

As a security expert, you would have done it. You told us you would have blocked off Wellington Street.

My time must be almost up. I've been given the one-minute signal.

Mr. Brookson, would you agree to provide us with a copy of the emails you exchanged and your daily notes during the period of events, that is, between January 28 and February 20, when the operation was completed?

[Larry Brookson]

Through you, Mr. Chair, most, if not all, of my conversations were verbal and in person as to the concerns I had in recommending the suspension of Parliament. I can certainly look back and see what emails may or may not be in place and provide that to the committee.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

You say that the communications were oral most of the time. I imagine you probably put some notes aside. That's why I'm asking you to send us not only the emails, but also any notes you might have on the event. Obviously, I'm not talking about your personal events, which are none of our business. Rather, I am talking about notes that relate to your responsibility to provide security on Parliament Hill.

[Larry Brookson]

Through you, Mr. Chair, I think it's important to provide the context as to how fast and quickly this was moving throughout the entire period. For me to have taken time to take the necessary notes was just not something that was within my timetable.

Again, I'm committed to looking back through, and I'm more than willing to provide anything that I can find.

[The Joint Chair, NDP, Matthew Green]

Thank you.

[The Joint Chair, Bloc, Rhéal Fortin]

Thank you, Mr. Brookson.

I thank all three of you for the work you do.

[The Joint Chair, NDP, Matthew Green]

Monsieur Fortin, I will pass the floor to you and claim my five minutes.

Mr. Brookson, are you aware of the attacks on the Prime Minister's residence in July 2020 by an active member of the military?

[Larry Brookson]

Through you, Mr. Chair, yes, I am.

[The Joint Chair, NDP, Matthew Green]

When such attacks and threats are posed to the Prime Minister of this country and to federal ministers, are you briefed on them?

[Larry Brookson]

Through you, Mr. Chair, the notification of that incident was made almost immediately to the service. The service responded accordingly to increase its posture until that incident at the Prime Minister's residence was dealt with.

[The Joint Chair, NDP, Matthew Green]

Was it something to be taken very seriously?

[Larry Brookson]

Absolutely.